Ontario police say human remains first discovered 45 years ago in Algonquin Park have finally been identified following a massive probe spanning decades that was surrounded by mystery.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) say a hiker found remains on April 19, 1980, near the Hardwood Lookout Trail, triggering an intensive investigation. Police say extensive searches in the days that followed turned up a boot, leather wallet, clothes, a sleeping bag, camping gear and more human remains.
While his identity remained unknown, the findings led officials to determine the deceased was a white man likely between 18 and 21 years of age, and allowed them to rule out foul play. The investigation narrowed his death to roughly two years before his remains were located.
Over the years, more remains belonging to the unknown man were found, allowing a forensic artist to create a three-dimensional clay reconstruction of his face, and while that generated dozens of tips, police say ultimately his identity remained unsolved.
It wasn’t until 2022, when the OPP submitted the victim’s DNA to the DNA Doe Project for investigative genetic genealogy analysis, that investigators finally had a breakthrough in the case. They started searching for potential family members for DNA samples to match in order to confirm his identity.
“The call eventually came,” said Ricky’s sister, Ruth.
”On September 19, 2023, I was contacted by an unidentified caller. Feeling strongly guided to take the call, the caller introduced himself as a detective from the OPP. He said he had some difficult news for me and asked whether I had time to listen. Immediately, my tears began to fall and I knew that they had found him."
Ruth’s sister, Merry said matching DNA samples was more complex than she could have imagined, and took nearly two years to complete.
In February this year, after more than four decades, the OPP was able to put a name to the deceased — Eric (Ricky) Singer, 22, of Cleveland, Ohio.
Police say Ricky was last seen at his parent’s home in Berea, Ohio.
“October 3, 1973, was the last time I saw him,” said Ricky’s sister Merry Singer. “Ricky had been exploring Canadian options after dropping out of college in 1970 and receiving his draft card for Vietnam. He did not get drafted, but he continued to spend time in Canada over the next few years … Suddenly, he disappeared on his bike with a backpack and we never heard from him again."
“Eric Singer’s remains were found before I was even born,” said OPP Lead Investigator Det. Sgt. Phillip Holmes. “The fact that I’m involved in supporting his family in understanding what happened to him feels a little surreal.”
Holmes called the case “one of the most rewarding investigations of my career.”
This summer, Ricky’s sisters visited the place where he spent his final days. Sadly, his parents passed away before learning what happened to their son. According to the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service, the cause of death was undetermined.
“Not only did our family find some peace in learning that our brother was found, but our wonderful new friends at the OPP were also able to close this case. This dedicated team, while standing on the shoulders of so many who had worked on the case over the past 50 years, was able to meet, in person, the family to whom they’d given this miraculous gift,” Merry said.
“That’s a good day at the office.”
